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Random MUSE
Strictly for book lovers!
When I shared happy tidings about www.goodreads.com with my friend -
who always looks to outsmart me - he laughed me down bringing up the
fact that the website offers no free books! Well I had to remind him
this site is specifically for readers and not for those who wait on free
books. This is something that makes me pen down my affair with this
cyber library. I Thank my colleague at Business desk, who sent me this
link, first of all.
We read hundreds of books, but hardly think of rating it checking on
others' views.
Probably because we don't have a hard and fast book culture as such,
and people cannot afford to spare time to share their views. Reading is
much easier than writing a book - so it is just a matter of taking down
notes to contemplate your read.
'A Beautiful Mind' by Ron Howard (who directed Dan Brown's 'Da Vinci
Code' and 'Angels and Demons' next) is one stunning movie I have
watched. I did not want to think twice when I saw the movie in book
form. It cost me a little fortune, but I didn't regret it in the least.
Back at home, I checked out my goodreads friends' remarks. One of my
favourite friends had given it only two out of five stars. Her comment
was that it is disappointing.
I started feeling the same when I was halfway through the book. It
was more of a biographical memoir full of mathematics jazz. I found the
book disappointing compared with the movie, but still it is interesting
if you read with patience. It was so interesting to surf others' views
on a book you have read.
That is one thing. And they have given us the option to compare book
prices too. It brings you a price range from cyber markets like Amazon,
Barnes & Noble and Abe Books. They have given links for audio versions
as well as new arrivals of any genre for you to contemplate on what to
buy.
This library gives you a chance to add more books. Not only Sinhala
books, even some English works have not entered yet. You can add the
books with all details like ISBN along with the cover image. This is a
good way to swap your book with someone else. Apparently what you have
to do is just scan the whole book and convert it into .pdf format, the
mostly used e-book form.
There are groups to have a talk on what's going on, depending more on
your favourite genre. You can show your knowledge power by ticking the
correct answer at Trivia. You can find out groups that would like to
share your thoughts.
The library has a separate section for authors. You can become a fan
and can have a chat with them in your leisure. Interestingly they
haven't included all the books they have read. Perhaps they want more
time to interact with fans and dedicate more time to the writing
business.
You can share your views with friends and others all over the world.
I found an outsider who has included over 5000 books and commented that
she would never accept any friend request from someone who got friends
more than the number of books.
This may seem an ivory tower world for those who do not care for
books very much. But this is happy news for those who are mad about
books. Good thing about cyberspace is that people are always willing to
share their interests and knowledge - free of charge.
I did not want to convince my friend, who turned down the website,
because I knew fully well he is not in for this good reading job. But I
am sure you will click on
www.goodreads.com |
